The Waldorf-Astoria on Park Avenue in New York City is one of the most recognized Art Deco landmarks in the United States. Graciano Corporation performed a comprehensive masonry restoration and facade repair program at the building, addressing the full range of exterior conditions across brick, stone, terra cotta, concrete, and structural elements. The project was completed in March 2004.
Scope of Work
The restoration encompassed masonry, stone, terra cotta, structural, concrete, and waterproofing work across the building exterior.
- Repointing masonry
- Individual brick replacement
- New brick construction
- Brick facade rebuild
- Water cleaning
- Pressure washing
- Chemical cleaning
- Masonry surface rehabilitation
- Unit stone replacement
- Stonework
- Stone patching
- Stone facade pinning
- Dutchman repair
- Terra cotta work
- Parapet and coping reconstruction
- Structural steel repair and replacement
- Lintel replacement
- Flashings
- Partial and full depth concrete repair
- Deck coatings
- Waterproofing
- Epoxy injection
- Sealants
- Coatings
About the Project
The Waldorf-Astoria's Art Deco facade combines brick, limestone, and terra cotta ornament across a twin-tower structure that reaches 625 feet. Exterior masonry restoration at a building of this scale and architectural complexity demands precision in material matching, repair methodology, and sequencing across multiple facade elevations and ornament types. Graciano's in-house union craftsmen performed repointing, unit replacements, and structural repairs while coordinating access across the full height of the building.
Terra cotta restoration at a property like the Waldorf-Astoria requires custom fabrication of replacement units and careful matching of original profiles, textures, and finishes. Graciano's experience with terra cotta at historic landmarks -- including Rockefeller Center and Heinz Hall -- made it well suited for this work.
